Our Testimonials

In addition to being renown as an incredibly gifted and inspiring pianist, Mary is an exemplary teacher, combining her perfected teaching skills with sophistication, sensitivity, and motivation.

Many years ago, my two daughters took piano lessons from Mary. As a bonus, our family and the families of her other students were all honored and privileged to attend one of her incredible recitals. We were in complete and spellbound awe as we listened to her play one of her beautiful and immersing personal compositions at the conclusion of the recital!

There are just not enough “stars” available for this review to give to Mary Wendelken”!

Pamela Brenner

“I have been playing piano on and off for over 30 years. I had many piano teachers but since I started studying piano with Mary it was a different experience. In such a short time I felt more confident playing the piano. I learned with Mary that having a correct finger position makes a huge difference in sound quality. My piano technique has significantly improved and the melodies are and brighter clearer”.

Gerardo Rodriguez

“I was one of Mary’s first students over 20 years ago and remained her student until I left Florida for college about 10 years later. She instilled in me a love of music that has stayed with me. I appreciate the way she tailors her approach for each student, expects more of you than you believe in yourself, and builds a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning. I was one of the guinea pigs traveling to Toronto each year for the Royal Conservatory of Music exams and am a huge fan of their curriculum and of Mary’s innovative ways to teach it. Back in my day, yes, we had to go to Canada…and go uphill in the snow both ways to piano lessons. I think there’s a much more convenient system now. I’d highly recommend Wendelken Piano Studio because Mary genuinely cares about her students and their growth as pianists. I am indebted and forever grateful to Mary for all that she taught me”.

Shari Bergstein

“My older daughter, now 11, became a student here at age 8 after three years at another music school. I was looking for a structured curriculum that would ensure children were given a thorough grounding in music without losing their love for it, and this studio certainly delivered with its Royal Conservatory program (that Mary Wendelken actually pioneered in Florida). In addition to their regular classes, children also take musicianship lessons to firm up their skills and are offered theory exams too. At the end of it all, they have solid, internationally recognized credentials and have developed an appreciation for music played well. While my daughters are taught by her wonderful instructor, Ms. Ines (one of a select group of carefully chosen teachers), Mary’s influence is evident in the style and scope of the studio, the music, and the recitals. My younger daughter has now started here, and I look forward to seeing her develop as a musician under Mary’s tutelage and the guiding hands of her instructors”.

Shari Bergstein

“"My older daughter, now 11, became a student here at age 8 after three years at another music school. I was looking for a structured curriculum that would ensure children were given a thorough grounding in music without losing their love for it, and this studio certainly delivered with its Royal Conservatory program (that Mary Wendelken actually pioneered in Florida). In addition to their regular classes, children also take musicianship lessons to firm up their skills, and are offered theory exams too. At the end of it all, they have solid, internationally recognized credentials and have developed an appreciation for music played well. While my daughters are taught by her wonderful instructor, Ms Ines (one of a select group of carefully chosen teachers), Mary's influence is evident in the style and scope of the studio, the music and the recitals. My younger daughter has now started here, and I look forward to seeing her develop as a musician under Mary's tutelage and the guiding hands of her instructors".”

Anu Varma Panchal

“"Mary Wendelken is one-of-a-kind in the music teaching world. After studying with Mary throughout high school, I never imagined I would win 1st place at state-wide piano competitions and receive a music scholarship to the University of Florida's School of Music. All thanks to Mary. She took my piano performance to the next level - in fact, so many levels higher than I ever imagined.

There are many piano teachers out there who are either too strict or not serious enough. Mary strikes a perfect balance between the two. She has an amazing ability to take your musical abilities and morph them into their highest potential.

It seems like learning music is much more than memorizing lines and mastering technique - It is an experience. I look back on the hundreds of lessons I've had with Mary as the most positive, fun, enriching expeirence in my musical career".”

Kyle

“"I have had the distinct pleasure of studying piano with Mary and the Wendelken Studio of Musical Arts for the past 3 years and my daughter has studied piano with Mary for a total of 4 years. As a professional musician with a Masters in Music, and lengthy experience in teaching music myself, I am keenly aware of what constitutes instructional excellence. Wendelken Studio of Musical Arts is a beacon of quality music teaching in Tampa, and indeed within the State of Florida. As a founding school and Mary being its founding teacher, affiliated with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Wendelken Studio of Musical Arts has a long standing history of nurturing and developing musicians of the highest caliber. If you desire to truly understand and know the language of music, while learning to become your most accomplished, musical self, this is the studio where you belong"!”

Malika

“"Wendelken Studio of Musical Arts offers first-class instruction in classical music. My two daughters have participated in the Royal Conservatory of Music piano program with the studio's founding teacher Mary Wendelken for more than a decade. Mary, impeccably trained and credentialed, has an ear for the finest nuances of music and the individuality of each student. Her deep experience and attuned style result in a high quality of teaching and an astonishing level of skill in her students. Through studying with Mary, my daughters have consistently earned top honors in their performance and theory exams and, equally as important, they have gained a lifelong love of making music".”

Stacy Clark

“"I have been an instructor of piano and strings with the Wendelken Studio of Musical Arts for two years, and I write from the heart when I say it has been an incredible fortune and privilege to work for such an amazing team and with such a great staff. Mary Wendelken, the Studio's Founder, is not only kind and caring as a "boss" (and I put the word boss in quotes because Mary has been to me not only a professional mentor and musical role model, but also a dear friend), she is also dedicated to us as her staff, her students and to keeping the standards and professionalism of classical education very high. All of us as teachers love what we do and bond over our jobs - and our passion for great music (and music making!). I speak with sincerity when I say that teaching for the Studio has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, and I couldn't be prouder of our Studio, our students, and of our team"!”

Mariam Osman

”"I studied at the Wendelken Piano Studio for six years. It was the only place I could find where there was a set curriculum, the same used at RCM. Not only was I educated in piano performance, but in music theory, ear training, etc. My music opportunities increased because of all the skills I acquired from the Studio. The best memories, though, were of going to the State competition and hanging out with the other students, playing cards in the hotel lobby, performing duets with my partner Joshua, and making memories with friends."

Lauren — Award-winning student at FFMC State Competition and Piano Major at Florida State

”"I like to know that my skills are building and what my benchmarks are in terms of technique and performance. The school, designed for your success, is structured so that you can clearly see your path to progress."

Dr. Deborah Plant —adult student Wendelken Studio

”"Being part of the music events, performing, working toward a goal, making friends, these are all part of the fun. It's a real skill to play well, and it's not something you can just do easily. It's like training for the Olympics, music-style."

Austin Booth — senior at Tampa's Jesuit High School

”"We enrolled our daughter in WPS (Level 6) because RCM offers a rigorous program with a standardized evaluation process. Now, as a Level 8 Freshman, she was one of twenty students nationwide invited to a summer piano camp at one of the "top ten" Music Departments in the U.S. We would have no one but Mary prepare our daughter for the competitive application process at top-notch universities."

Mr. and Dr. B. —New Tampa

”"Dear Ms. Mary, I can't tell you how grateful we are to have found a talented instructor such as yourself. Out of the several teachers Alexis has had, you have been the only one that has motivated and challenged her inner artist! Everytime Alexis plays the piano everyone wants to know who her instructor is. It's obvious Alexis has had great training! She is constantly on the piano. She just loves to play."

Alicia —New Tampa

”"Lessons with you was always such a "haven" for my kids. Even though they didn't continue as professionals, the experience was priceless in so many ways! "

Joellie Swanson Hankin

”Congratulations to our Piano Trio (Booth, Hankin and Yang!) FIRST PLACE in the State of Florida in the most difficult level; AND to our Difficult Level Duet (Vaccaro and Robinson) SECOND PLACE in the State- yip yip yip!!! And to all our soloists and ensembles who played with soul, passion and wicked strong technique- thank you for daring to be remarkable!! You rock!

Miss all of you, Love Mary and Sophie

”"As for music, we are the ones that were honored and gifted with your music and your love beyond our wildest imagination."

Love you always. Susannah Robinson

”"A few notes about your awesome studio: Wendelken Piano Studio has a relaxed, in-home environment without relaxing its’ standards. This environment encourages my son to want to attend piano lessons and challenge himself."

Mrs. Chen

”"Mary Wendelken is an excellent music teacher. The works come alive when she teaches. My daughter (age 15) had Guild teachers in other states who were very competent and demanding, but none have inspired her the way Mary and the RCM methods have."

Margaret S. — New Tampa

”"At Wendelken Piano Studio, my children and I have not only learned to play the piano, we have enhanced our family's expression and love of music."